Free VAT Calculator — Add, Remove & Reverse Charge VAT
Need to add or remove VAT from a price? Our free VAT calculator handles both directions instantly. Enter any amount, select your country's VAT rate (or type a custom rate), and see the net price, VAT amount, and gross total immediately. Pre-loaded with 2026 VAT rates for 34 countries: all 27 EU member states, plus the UK (20%), Switzerland, Norway, Australia, Canada, Japan, and India.
The reverse VAT feature extracts the tax from a VAT-inclusive price — essential for bookkeeping and invoice processing. Use the batch calculator to process multiple items at once. Perfect for freelancers, accountants, ecommerce sellers, and anyone dealing with European or international pricing. All calculations happen in your browser — no data is collected.
How to use VAT Calculator
- Enter the amount — Type the price you want to calculate. This can be a net (before tax) or gross (tax-inclusive) amount depending on your direction.
- Choose direction — Click "Add VAT" to calculate the gross price from a net amount, or "Remove VAT" to extract the tax from a VAT-inclusive price. The reverse calculation is the most common need for bookkeeping.
- Select VAT rate — Choose your country from the dropdown to auto-fill the standard rate (UK=20%, DE=19%, FR=20%), or type a custom percentage. Click any row in the reference table to apply that rate.
- View results — See Net Price, VAT Amount, and Gross Price clearly separated. The formula used is displayed below. Copy all values for your invoice or accounting software.
Features
- Reverse Charge Calculator — For B2B invoices issued without VAT: see the output VAT to declare, the input VAT to reclaim and the net VAT due.
- Add & Remove VAT — Calculate in both directions: add VAT to a net price, or reverse-calculate to extract VAT from a gross price.
- 34 Country Presets — 2026 VAT rates for all 27 EU member states plus the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Australia, Canada, Japan, and India.
- Batch Calculator — Calculate VAT for multiple items at once with automatic totals — perfect for invoices.
- Custom Rates — Type any VAT percentage for countries or rates not in the preset list.
- Formula Display — Shows the exact calculation used, so you can verify and learn the formulas.
- Currency Support — Switch between $, €, £, CHF, ¥, ₹, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate reverse charge VAT?
Multiply the invoice amount by your own country's VAT rate. That figure is the output VAT you declare and, if you can fully recover VAT, also the input VAT you reclaim in the same return — so the net cost is usually zero. Example: a German business buys a €1,000 service from a supplier in another EU country: €1,000 × 19% = €190 declared and €190 reclaimed. The supplier's invoice shows €1,000 with no VAT and the note "Reverse charge".
Is reverse VAT the same as the reverse charge?
No. "Reverse VAT" usually means working backwards from a VAT-inclusive price to the net price — use Remove VAT, which divides by 1 + rate (÷ 1.20 for 20%). The reverse charge is a legal mechanism in which the business buyer, not the seller, accounts for the VAT on a transaction.
How do I remove VAT from a price?
Divide the gross (VAT-inclusive) price by (1 + VAT rate/100). For UK 20% VAT: £120 gross ÷ 1.20 = £100 net. The VAT amount is £120 - £100 = £20. Common mistake: taking 20% off £120 gives £96, which is WRONG — that's £24 VAT instead of £20. Always divide by 1.XX, never subtract XX%.
What are the current VAT rates in Europe?
Standard rates (2025-2026): UK 20%, Germany 19%, France 20%, Italy 22%, Spain 21%, Netherlands 21%, Belgium 21%, Austria 20%, Ireland 23%, Sweden 25%, Denmark 25%, Norway 25%, Switzerland 8.1%, Poland 23%, Portugal 23%. Hungary has the highest EU rate at 27%. Luxembourg the lowest at 17%. Most countries also have reduced rates (5-12%) for essentials like food, books, and medicine.
What is the difference between VAT and sales tax?
VAT (Value Added Tax) is collected at every stage of production — each business pays VAT on purchases and charges VAT on sales, remitting only the difference. Sales tax is collected only at the final point of sale to the consumer. VAT is used in 160+ countries (including all EU nations). Sales tax is used primarily in the US, where rates vary by state (0% in Oregon, Montana; up to 10.25% in some California cities).
Do I need to charge VAT on international sales?
It depends on your business location and customer location. Within the EU: B2B sales to VAT-registered businesses in other EU countries are generally zero-rated (reverse charge). B2C sales to EU consumers: you charge the VAT rate of the customer's country (One Stop Shop/OSS system). Sales outside the EU: generally zero-rated (export). Always consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is VAT always 20%?
No. 20% is the standard UK rate, but VAT varies widely by country. Hungary has the highest EU rate at 27%, while Luxembourg has the lowest at 17%. Switzerland charges 8.1%. Most countries also have reduced rates (5-12%) for essentials like food, books, medicine, and children's items. Some goods are zero-rated (0% VAT but still VAT-registered) or fully exempt.
Do I subtract 20% to remove VAT from a price?
No — this is the most common VAT calculation mistake! Subtracting 20% from £120 gives £96, which is wrong. To remove 20% VAT, divide by 1.20: £120 ÷ 1.20 = £100 net, with £20 VAT. The reason: 20% was applied to the net price (£100), not the gross price (£120). 20% of £100 = £20, but 20% of £120 = £24. Always divide by (1 + rate/100) to reverse VAT.
What items are exempt from VAT?
VAT exemptions vary by country. In the UK, exempt items include most food and children's clothing (zero-rated), financial services, insurance, education, healthcare, and certain charity activities. Reduced rate (5%) applies to domestic energy, children's car seats, and some home improvements. In the EU, each country sets its own list of reduced and exempt goods within EU directive guidelines.